Eight SAS soldiers have been taken hostage by rebels in Libya, according to Sky sources.
Rebel sources told Sky News that the group were being held in Libya’s second city in Benghazi.
They were among a group of around 22 soldiers and one diplomat who are believed to have been dropped by helicopter in an area south of the city.
Only eight were detained and it is expected that the hostages will be released either today or tomorrow.
There is speculation it could be an attempt by the rebels to ensure the interim Libyan council receives diplomatic recognition.
The SAS’s intervention has allegedly angered Libyan opposition figures who ordered the armed and plain-clothes soldiers to be locked up on a military base.
Opponents of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s fear he could use any evidence of western military interference to rally patriotic support for his regime.
Sky News defence correspondend Niall Paterson said: “The feeling in London is that the rebels who have taken the SAS members and junior diplomat are simply making a point.
“There is no feeling this will end badly.”
Six Dutch soldiers have been taken prisoner in similar circumstances.
You'd think by now western countries would have learned to keep their noses out of the internal affairs of Arab states?
